From their earliest days as a band, The Clash stood apart from their peers with their musicianship as well as their lyrics, the passionate, left-wing political idealism in the lyrics by frontman Joe Strummer and guitarist Mick Jones contrasting with the lyrical nihilism of the Sex Pistols and the musical minimalism of the Ramones. Their 1979 album 'London Calling' is considered by critics as one of the greatest albums in the history of rock music. Rolling Stone declared it the best album of the 80s.
The Clash's attitude and style, as much as their music, has influenced countless bands, both within and outside the sphere of punk rock. Often lauded as "the only band that matters," The Clash were canonized as rock saints even before they broke up. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the class of 2003. Their first five albums, ('The Clash', 'Give 'Em Enough Rope', 'London Calling', 'Sandinista!', and 'Combat Rock') to this day, continue to earn a great deal of interest from rock fans and artists alike.
Mick Jones went on to form Big Audio Dynamite after being fired from The Clash, and he more recently has produced albums by artists such as The Libertines and Babyshambles. In 2004, he formed Carbon/silicon with musician Tony James (of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik fame). Exploring various genres such as alternative rock and electronic music, he continues to collaborate with other modern groups such as Gorillaz.
Joe Strummer went on to form and front Joe Strummer and the Latino Rockabilly War and then Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. He also had a notable solo career that involved work in films and other endeavors, often earning critical acclaim. He died on December 22, 2002, the victim of an un-diagnosed congenital heart defect. Mourned by countless punk fans, his life has been subject to several tributes and was memorialized in the 2007 documentary 'Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten'.
Bass player Paul Simonon went on to form Havana 3 A.M., a group that released a self-titled album in 1991, yet he decided to quit music in the early 90s in favour of becoming an artist. In 2006, he returned to music as bass player in a musical project together with singer-songwriter Damon Albarn. The project is often referred to as The Good, The Bad & The Queen, the name of the groups first recorded album that came out in 2007. In terms of his paintings, his well-received work notably was in an exhibition at Thomas Williams Fine Art in London.
Drummer Topper Headon released a solo album, 1986's 'Waking Up', before leaving the music business to become a taxi driver and escape the heroin addiction that cost him his legacy in The Clash. Over the years, he's had sporadic involvement in various music-related endeavors, such as being a key part of the aforementioned 'The Future Is Unwritten' film. He's currently residing in the seaside town of Dover, England.
Members:
1976 Original line-up
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Keith Levene – lead guitar
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes – drums, percussion
1977
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes – drums, percussion
1977-1982 Classic line-up
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Topper Headon – drums, percussion
1982-1983
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes – drums, percussion
1983
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard – drums, percussion
1983-1986 Final line-up
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Nick Sheppard – lead guitar, backing vocals
Vince White – lead guitar
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard – drums, percussion
Look Here
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What d'you think you're
Gonna be doin' next year?
No lie...
How you know you're not
Gonna up and die?
No doubt...
Will find you out
Take care...
You know you might not have
Too much time to spare
I say...
How long have you been acting
Up this way?
One knows...
When you gonna get
Your own floor show
I'm hip...
And you could use a button
On your lip
Look here
What d'you think you're
Gonna be doing next year
I'm hip!
The lyrics to The Clash's song Look Here are a warning to an individual who is perhaps living recklessly and not considering the consequences of their actions. The singer urges the person to consider what they will be doing in the future and whether or not they'll even be alive, highlighting the importance of cherishing each day. The band emphasizes the idea that those who live recklessly will eventually be found out by their friends and acquaintances, and that they should take care to make the most of the time they have.
The song also suggests that the person isn't necessarily acting out for the right reasons. When the singer asks how long they've been acting out this way, it implies that whatever they're doing isn't natural but rather attention-seeking or simply harmful. The singer implies that the person would benefit from keeping their thoughts to themselves, represented by the suggestion that they should put a button on their lip.
Overall, The Clash urges listeners to be mindful of their actions, reminding them that they won't live forever and that their actions now will affect their future.
Line by Line Meaning
Look here!
Hey, pay attention!
What d'you think you're gonna be doin' next year?
What are your plans for the future?
No lie... How you know you're not gonna up and die?
Seriously, do you know when you're going to die?
No doubt... Soon enough your friends will find you out
Your true self will be revealed to your friends eventually.
Take care... You know you might not have too much time to spare
Be careful with your time, because you never know when it will run out.
I say... How long have you been acting up this way?
I'm curious about the way you've been behaving lately.
One knows... When you gonna get your own floor show
You know, it's obvious that you want to be the center of attention.
I'm hip... And you could use a button on your lip
I understand what you're saying, but maybe you should keep some things to yourself.
Look here! What d'you think you're gonna be doin' next year
Hey, have you thought about what you want to do in the upcoming year?
I'm hip!
I understand and I'm in the know.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MOSE ALLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Reality Real Estate
Anything by this group is considered a masterpiece! That's how great and phenomenal the Clash was!
That Random Aliën
Definitely love they're music heheh
Big Bo
Long live the Clash!
葛葉
このベースラインほんと好き
Nate crook lock A C A B
Good lockdown music we all need a bit of clash now&then 💥🔥
Mr Potato
Keep em coming boyo!
gerardo rodas
I am from Tijuana Mexico, remember walking across the border to go to Tower records to buy this album when it came out it blew my mind away, pierced my ear, and changed in just a few songs.
Véronique Salvador
Love the Clash for a long time! 💙💛🪂
金成工太
「白い暴動」もいいけど、俺はやっぱ「サンディニスタ！」が好きだな。。
Lourdes Rivera
Woow!